The Reserve Bank (SARB) has announced a 25-basis-point cut to the repo rate, reducing it to 7%. As a result, the prime lending rate for commercial banks will drop to 10.50%.
“The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) welcomes this decision, which offers meaningful relief to consumers and businesses alike in a persistently challenging economic climate. Lower interest rates enhance vehicle affordability and will help energise demand in both the new and pre-owned vehicle markets, particularly in cost-sensitive segments,” says Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of NADA.
The rate cut comes amid heightened global uncertainty, with South Africa facing the prospect of export tariffs as high as 30% following an impending trade deadline set by the United States. While broader economic challenges remain, SARB’s decision sends a positive signal and may help strengthen domestic resilience.
Brandon notes that although this may be the final window for monetary easing in the near term, with inflation having remained within SARB’s 3% to 6% target range for nine consecutive months, the cut is a step in the right direction. “The automotive retail sector remains resilient, and dealers continue to support customers through tailored finance solutions and value-driven offerings,” he adds.
Audi South Africa has introduced the new Q5 range, comprising the third-generation Q5 SUV, second-generation Q5 Sportback, and the performance-focused SQ5 SUV and SQ5 Sportback. The range is built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion and brings a new generation of petrol and diesel engines to the nameplate.
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) has introduced Riddara, Geely Auto Group's new energy bakkie brand, to the South African market.
Ford’s next big electric vehicle push is less about a dramatic new badge and more about what happens behind factory doors.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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The Toyota Starlet has improved from zero to a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. This follows a safety upgrade to make six airbags a standard fit.
South Africa's new vehicle market sustained strong momentum in August 2026, with aggregate sales increasing by 11,4% year-on-year to 57 898 units, says the Automotive Business Councill | naamsa.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market maintained its momentum in August, with aggregate sales of 57 898 units representing an increase of 11.4% compared with the same month last year.
